I invite your comments on my kitchen plan (with photo)

[kitchenplanner]

I'm planning our new kitchen atm - it's going to have IKEA carcasses and Naked Doors fronts. This is the plan. It's not a big kitchen, made worse by the fact that we want a range (90cm) and double Belfast sink (80cm). I'd say these two things are non-negotiable.

I find wall cabinets quite oppressive. I'd probably rather not have any at all, but have been persuaded to have some in the left corner. Storage is hopefully not an issue, as we also have a separate pantry, and a utility room.

The thing that worries me is prep space. Is there enough? Should the sink swap with the dishwasher to create a bigger prep space?

Please do let me have your comments!

Another kitchen? Do you mean in an annexe or something? If you've another kitchen you can use in the interim, I definitely wouldn't be rushing to fit a new one in the main kitchen 😉 You can take your time, establishing exactly how the house will work best for you....

We did something similar when we purchased a house that had previously been flats - we used an upstairs kitchen till we'd decided how the ground floor layout would work best.... although we survived for several months with the most basic of kitchen facilities (and certainly no dishwasher!!!) with small DC. We managed perfectly fine with a table top stove, microwave, single stainless steel sink, tiny stretch of worktop with one base cabinet and one wall cupboard plus one of those old fashioned geysers for hot water 😮🙄

It was a big old house so we had all our food and pots/pans etc stored elsewhere in our own free standing cupboards. It is possible to cope ok without mod cons, although we did have friends ask if we planned to check into a hotel till everything was finished, lol! The time it took us (DIY everything), it would've been an expensive exercise 😂

It's in an annex, and a bit annoying to get to. But I think you're all right I should move in first, get a feel for the place, etc.

I will nevertheless report back tomorrow with a couple more plans for comments

@ostrom

By the way, I also love Kilner Jars and I’m going for open shelves to replace the wall unit close to the window in my own kitchen. I was warned about the grease bomb so it’s just something I thought I’d share!

Grease bomb??

Definitely move in and see-you can get a second hand dw for next to nothing, or even a new one for about £250. Let yourself settle and see how you inhabit the space.

When I wash pans - I Put them back on the hob To Dry out and put them away dry in the morning.

Don't forget a spray hose tap - very helpful.

I'd Put toaster/ kettle in the corner and ass as much prep space as Possible. Can you
Have a slim island ?

Would definitely pick up a second hand dishwasher and live with it for a while.
We ended up swapping two rooms and it has absolutely transformed the way we live in the house.
Get to know it before spending your money. Shifting a door really isn't that big a deal if you are already doing a room
Similarly, consider how they are hinged. We have a tiny bathroom and the door opened into the room. Hanging it the opposite side made it so much more practical.
There is probably real potential to improve and it would be a shame not to make the most of it

Mmm that corner is an issue. Changes I'd make
-Is that tall cupboard the fridge? If yes move it to the other end next to,the sink, that way you end up with more usable work surface

• make all of the worktops a bit deeper - you'd be amazed what a difference this makes to prep space.
• if you don't like wall cupboards, don't have any - this would work fine if the ff tall cupboard is moved
• agree re the double sink. We have a 1 and a quarter small sink that fits in a 600 unit and no draining board and it's plenty big enough. We use a foldaway silicone draining board from Joseph Joseph. It gives so much more room and you don't need grooves.

-consider not having an extractor hood as they take up,so much space, are noisy and you'd be amazed how little you actually use them. You can then have a high level shelf on that whole run. Or have an extractor hood built into a cupboard that can then double as spice storage too (the shallow cupboard usually alllows for this

• have LOTS of drawers. So much easier than cupboards
• An you have a pan rack hanging from the ceiling - maybe in that unusable corner? That frees up a cupboard and looks cool 😎
• think about plinth drawers too

I don't know how to link but I've put a new post up with two new designs for your comments! Thank you everyone.

@kitchenplanner

I'm starting to wonder about a single Belfast sink. I've got so used to putting pans in the second sink to dry and being lazy about putting it away. It'll take discipline to put away immediately!

The range is because we like cooking and want to be able to host family Christmases. I find cooking for family with a standard oven limiting.

It’d be a nightmare trying to prep Christmas dinner for lots of people with such a small amount of worktop. Have you had Belfast sinks before? I love the look, but hate everything else about them. They’re too easy to stain, scratch and damage, they get mouldy between the top of the sink and the underside of the worktop.
If you have a dishwasher, forget the 2 sinks, just wash the pans, then once you’ve done them all, a quick wipe and into the cupboard. I do mine as I’m going along. As others have said, the range cooker where it is will be unworkable. Also, it takes up a great deal of space. In reality, is it just a luxury in such a small kitchen? You could always get a plug in portable induction hob to use at Christmas!

I continue to disagree with most posters on here if you move the sink to the side and maybe make it a large single sink you will find that is enough work space, honestly! Big family with almost exact same layout. Dish-drainer cabinet, European style, wall mounted above sink as well